Page 83 - Discover Botswana 24th Edition 2024

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KG A L AG A D I
THE MIRACLE OF THE RAINY SEASON
While the Kgalagadi’s arid beauty is captivating year-round, there is a
season that brings about a remarkable metamorphosis, a privilege to
witness – the summer rainy season. During this time, the red desert is
at its most dazzling. As the sun’s relentless heat builds and then yields to
theatrical thunderstorms, releasing the first rains, the desert’s secrets are
unlocked.
The rains coax resilient plants from their slumber, transforming the
once-barren landscape into a vibrant canvas painted with many shades
of green and vivid colours. Devil’s thorn, carpeting the red sands in a
stunning bright yellow, adds to this surreal revival, a testament to nature’s
adaptability and regenerative power.
Rainbows, born from the delicate merging of sunlight and raindrops,
regularly grace the skies, adding a touch of magical beauty to an already
breathtaking landscape. This display of nature’s artistry reminds us that
even in the harshest environments, moments of sheer wonder can emerge
unexpectedly.
The arrival of rain also awakens dormant insects and amphibians, filling
the air with their gentle hum and enlivening the once-dry riverbeds with
the calls of frogs and toads. Tortoises and reptiles emerge too, completing
this ecological renaissance.
Above: In the summer rainy season, the inundated Kgalagadi Pans provide
a stunning canvas for dramatic sunrise and sunset skies, mirrored in the
tranquil shallow waters. Against this serene backdrop, a wildebeest skull
serves as a poignant reminder of the seasonal extremes that define the
Kgalagadi.
Facing page bottom: Despite the arid and lifeless nature of the red
Kgalagadi sands during the scorching dry season, witnessing these same
sands burst forth with vibrant flowers, such as the exquisite Crinum lily
(Crinum foetidum), is simply miraculous.
Below: A cute little Bushveld elephant-shrew (Elephantulus intufi ) attempts
to alleviate an itch by skilfully employing its hind leg.